Glen Bond Picayune MS Aug 13, 2006 Subject: Why come to Christ? Why should any one want to be saved? -------------------------------------------------- Many preachers today preach that "getting saved" or "giving your heart to Jesus", will change your life for the better. And true salvation will. They want you to "live for Jesus". Basically they want you to be saved only for the blessings in this life. Salvation does give us many blessings in this life. But in this life the Lord has already promised to each of us all that we will ever need. And we don't need salvation to recieve these blessings. Look at Matt 5:44 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. The sun rising is a sign of continued life,- We see the sun come up every morning, the dead don't see the sun. The rain is a sign of food and prosperity - Without rain, there would be no food, we would all starve to death. These blessings are given to all who are born in this life. Salvation is not for this life, but the next. We don't need salvation to be rich (in material things) in this life. The bible lays out the law and commandments, and by keeping most of these we will very likely be quite prosperous in this life. I say, by keeping MOST of these. If a man keep all of these he will most likely be saved. The Bible tells us how to live this life. It tells us Gods will for us. It tells us how to 'LIVE' as opposed to 'get by'. The Lord knows what each actiion will lead us into, that is why he tells us not to lie. He knows that lying will lead to more lies and deception. And this will feed on itself if we will continue in it. Nothing is better than the truth, no matter how much it hurts. None the less, 'salvation' is not evidenced by material blessings. Great material blessings are not a sign of salvation. Else we might say "Oh look, so and so must be saved, he just got a new car". So if you want material blessings, then you don't need salvation to get them. You usually get most of these things by hard work. So, why would you want to be saved? There seems to be little gain in salvation. Destruction is coming. ------------------------------------------- The bible tells us that there is coming a destruction. A destruction of this earth, and a destruction of all the souls who will reject the Lord Jesus Christ. You may say... Are you sure? Yes, I am sure. 2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. The Earth will be destroyed by fire. Matt. 10:2 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. The soul will be destroyed in hell. Some people dont think that the bible speaks of a firey hell, but it plainly does. Luke 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. Hell is a fire. When? ---------------------------------------------- When will this happen? I'm not too sure when, but you better be ready. You only have one shot at this, so don't mess it up. Matt. 24 whole chapter I don't believe you. You don't have to believe it. Your unbelief doesn't change anything. Destruction is coming, and you better be ready for it. Your unbelief only keeps you un-prepared. It is coming wether you believe it or not. To those who don't believe, let me ask you: Would you rather spend this life (this short life) seeking the Lord and at the end (of this life) you die and all is over. Even if there in no after life, no hell, no heaven. To spend this life seeking Christ and his righteousness is not a bad life. But it is also a great insurance policy aganst hell. Or would you rather spend this short life seeking after all the pleasures you can find, and ignore God, his laws and his commandments, then at death you find out that there is a heaven to win and a hell to shun? If you are so un-certain about God and hell, then why take such a chance that you will pay for through all eternity. Salvation is by FAITH. By faith - means that there is not one thing in this world that can be used as solid proof that God is. You must believe. Christ came to save sinners. (a sinner is someone who deserves destruction) He calls all to come to him. In coming to him, you must believe. Romans 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. All are under the law. it says - that EVERY mouth may be stopped, and ALL the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Without the Law we wouldn't know sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Those who believe are justified by faith from Jesus Christ. We recieve our believing faith from Christ. He will give that faith to those who will come to him for it. Do you think that to ignore Christ and his salvation is something that you should do? Are the pleasures of this world worth more to you, in this short life, than the joy of heaven for eternity?